Lorry driver caught on camera swerving across road after downing whisky

Story from SWNS

A lorry driver filmed swerving across a busy motorway and colliding with a central reservation shortly after downing whisky has been banned from the roads.

Lauri Martel, 40, was found to be twice over the drink-drive limit when he was pulled over by police after his lorry was seen swerving across the carriageway.

Inside his cab, police found a coffee mug containing whisky and coke and a discarded whisky and wine bottle were also found.

Police were called by members of the public at about 10.30am on Tuesday morning (11 May) reporting a lorry swerving across the A1M northbound near Peterborough, Cambs.

Neighbourhood policing officers who were in the area located the Scania which had pulled over in a layby.

Martel was breathalysed at the roadside and arrested after being almost twice the legal drink drive limit.

In an interview, Martel, of no fixed address, admitted having fallen asleep at the wheel which resulted in him swerving having drunk about two whiskeys that morning, totalling about six units.

He was charged with drink driving which he admitted at Peterborough Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday.

He has been disqualified from driving for a year and four months, as well as being made to pay £755 in fines and costs.

Sergeant Sam Tucker, from Peterborough’s southern Neighbourhood Policing Team, said: “Martel admitted to having been drinking whisky on the morning he was arrested, but felt he was fit to drive.

"Alcohol and tiredness can be a lethal combination on the roads, and for someone who drives professionally there is absolutely no excuse for it.

“Thank you to those members of the public who called us to report concerns about the manner of driving, this information enabled us to stop Martel before any potentially serious collision occurred.”